A Sequence of Events or The Lost Hat

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A man’s heart plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps. Proverbs 16:9

We are two weeks into the New Year – how are you doing so far? Whatever you’re facing, know that God is faithful!

Despite the pandemic (or maybe because of it?), we took a road trip to visit a couple of supporters and to speak in a church. While on the road, Lance realized that he left his hat behind-horrors! So, he bought one at the Cracker Barrel that first day of our trip. Our friends took us to their church on Sunday, and, of course, Lance wore his hat only to drop it on his way out. He didn’t notice it until after the church was closed. After several text messages back and forth, we arranged to meet someone at the church Monday afternoon to find out if the hat was at the church.

Monday afternoon came, and we both went to the church, where we found the hat. End of story? Of course not, or this would be a boring update! When we got back to our friend’s house, Laura stepped out of the car and said, “What’s that noise?” She almost didn’t come to the church, but if she hadn’t come, we wouldn’t have known a bolt was stuck in the tire. We would have found out the next day as we traveled to our next destination!

A few clicks and a call to a Firestone station, and we were on our way to get it fixed. Cisco, the young man behind the desk, told us it would take about an hour and a half. So, we went to find something to eat—soup and salad at Outback Steakhouse. (Yeah, I know that doesn’t sound right, but waiting for a steak would have kept us longer than we wanted to be.) When we asked how we could pray for Anthony, our server, he shared he was going shopping for a ring for his girl. We talked with him about marriage and prayed for him. He thanked us for praying.
We were finishing our meal when Cisco from Firestone called to say the repair was done. We walked into the Firestone store and Cisco asked, “Why do you have a Philippines flag hanging from your rear-view mirror?” It took some convincing for him to believe we have lived a good portion of our lives in the Philippines. His girlfriend is Filipino. He was quite responsive when we shared the gospel with him. We left him two copies of the booklet “The Story that Matters” and returned to our friends’ house.
So if Lance hadn’t bought and lost a hat, someone else might have dealt with that bolt in their tire. Cisco might not have heard the good news of Christ’s death on the cross for him. Anthony wouldn’t have been encouraged by a couple married for almost 45 years.

Returning to the Philippines:  According to Facebook memories, we bought our tickets for our 2020 trip to the Philippines a year ago today. Several have asked about this year.  The short answer is, “We don’t know.” The Philippines’ borders are very restricted and at this point, we really don’t know when we’ll be able to return. (Please pray with us about this. There are many missionaries who want to return and cannot.) In the meantime, Lance continues working on Jeremiah.


Thank you for your partnership with us as we minister to the Higaunon. Please pray for the different Higaunon churches as they continue ministering in these challenging days. Here is a picture of Manna and Payiying and their two children. Manna is a Bible teacher in an outreach village.

 


Secure in Christ’s love,
Lance & Laura
 

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